THE killer disease SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is making headlines these days. This disease, said to originate from the southern province of Guangdong in China, was first identified in November 2002. Since then, SARS has killed more than 260 people worldwide.
As the number of reported cases increases, the number of rumours circulating also seems to be aplenty. In Malaysia, as a result of unfounded rumours and unchecked information on SARS, many people began to worry and panic.
This development is indeed disturbing as with the advancement in communication, people can transmit and disseminate information with greater ease. This ease in communicating should not be abused and misused by us.
There is cause for concern if indeed we become so gullible that we start believing in things which are not true, accepting half truths as truths and regarding fabricated facts as facts.
Today, with the Internet and its applications such as websites and electronic mails, as well as with mobile telecommunications, we can conduct real-time communication very effectively.
E-mails and SMS (short-messaging service) are two popular tools for disseminating information. Some have begun to regard these two tools as having the potential to break down conceptual barriers such as distance, borders and time.
That is why the maxim that “he who controls information controls the world” is beginning to come true today. Technology has enabled this to become a reality.
Proponents of free speech hail the advancements made in telecommunications as a process for the democratisation of information.
Unfortunately, there are parallels between the digital wireless world and that of the real world. Much as we welcome the ease with which we obtain information, we have to be extra careful with the information we obtain. As much as we hate to admit it, there are irresponsible and reckless people who misuse and abuse these tools, sometimes unintentionally. The regrettable part is that we have people who are gullible enough to accept and believe whatever information being forwarded to them via e-mail or SMS. These people never even stop to think and check the authenticity of the information.
E-mails and SMS are known to be platforms used by maverick users to spread dangerous, corrupt and misinformed information. Malevolent and unfounded rumours and hoaxes are dangerous to the well-being of the society at large.
Whether it is deliberately done with malice or an oblivious error, the fact is that inaccurate information and data can easily and quickly be transmitted by using modern tools and technology.
It seems that this is what happened with the rumours pertaining to SARS. This reckless action on the part of some mobile telephone and e-mail users best epitomises the pitfall of technology.
These unfounded rumours have unnecessarily caused panic to those who received them. Unfortunately, the rumours snowballed into an avalanche when those who received the message passed them to others.
Forwarding unauthenticated messages are lucidly forbidden by Islam.
This is stated in verse 6 of Surah al-Hujurat to the effect that: “O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards be-come full of repentance for what ye have done.” It can become a problem if we do not authenticate information that we receive. If we cannot discern information from misinformation, truths from half-truths, facts from fiction and actual events from fabricated tales, then the situation that arises can become difficult to contain.
With regard to SARS, all of us should check with the authorities the authencity of the information that we receive.
The Health Ministry has set up a hotline (03-26946394/03-26938053) for people to ring up and get the facts on SARS. We can also check the ministry’s website (webjka.dph-.gov.my/sars) for the official Malaysian position, statistics and guidelines on SARS.
We should also be critical when we receive information via e-mail or SMS. Do we know, for instance, the original source of the information? We know, for a fact, that e-mails could be sent anonymously. As such, we have to be certain that the person sending us messages via e-mail could be trusted.
If that person uses a cyber-identity without disclosing his real-world identity, then this in itself presents room for doubt. Why should he or she hide his true identity when the message that is sent is authentic and of great import? If the message is sent through SMS, checking for the source is much easier, as we can simply call up the sender and verify the message we received. If that person was just merely forwarding the message, again we can trace the original source of the message.
It is also of equal importance that we do not indulge in the habit of simply forwarding any and all information that we receive to other people.
While our intentions may be good, unauthenticated messages that are forwarded could bring about unwanted and unintended problems. We have to be really certain that what we send are really facts that could be accounted for, and not rumours or coffeehouse gossips.
Rumour-mongering must not be a culture of the technological-savvy generation of today. If we look back to five years ago, there was a classic case of rumour-mongering that brought about problems.
In 1998, a rumour was circulated via email that there was a riot in the Chow Kit area of Kuala Lumpur. The authorities were quick to act and managed to contain the situation. The culprits behind this irresponsible action were also traced. This is an example of how unchecked facts, if circulated, could indeed result in chaos. Like-wise, any unauthenticated information on SARS should not be circulated, unless and until it has been verified by the authorities.
As people who have free and direct access to information, which can be obtained easily through the Internet and other means, we should at all times be aware of the need to be responsible in accessing and disseminating information.
Modern tools and technology has brought forth vast opportunities for the betterment of our lives. However, if these are abused and misused, then the promise of a better future that these technologies will bring will just be a myth.
This form of technological abuse must be stopped. Netizens, from gatekeepers to surfers, as well as mobile phone users, must have an urgent sense of responsibility and accountability.
Perhaps the Prophet Muhammad said it best in one hadith with regard to responsibility and accountability. He said, to the effect that: “Each one of you is a guardian and each guardian is responsible for everything they guard.” We must, therefore, endeavour to inculcate this sense of responsibility and accountability when handling information. Failing to do so could indeed be disastrous.